Las Cruces - Cloudcroft and Hiking

There was a lot of hiking in Las Cruces, but I wanted to see the "mountain" towns as well. One of the towns that was recommended to me was Cloudcroft. 

Nestled in the picturesque Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico, Cloudcroft is a charming mountain village that captivates visitors with its serene beauty and alpine allure. Known for its crisp mountain air and scenic vistas, Cloudcroft sits at an elevation of over 8,600 feet, offering a refreshing escape from the heat of the surrounding desert. The village is surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching. Cloudcroft's quaint downtown exudes a rustic charm with its historic buildings and welcoming shops, making it a delightful destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

I was seeking both hiking and village exploration in addition to a retreat from the summer heat. I hiked 2 shorter trails there. Osha trail was a short 2.5 mile trail with minimal 400 ft elevation gain that felt more like 1000 given the altitude. It was more of a hike in the forest as it has just a few view points.

The second trail Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail Loop was just as long but with an extra 100 ft elevation gain. It was another hike in the forest with some views opening up in the beginning of the hike.

After a bit of hiking I went to the town to grab lunch and decided to visit a tasting room. It's been a while since I have had wine! The town reminded me of Idyllwild and Big Bear in California. Idyllwild has a closer geographic connection to the metropolitan areas of Southern California, making it a more accessible weekend getaway for residents of Los Angeles and San Diego. Cloudcroft, on the other hand, is situated in a more secluded area, offering a quieter and potentially more remote experience. Also, Cloudcroft's higher elevation (over 8,600 feet) gives it a cooler climate and occasional winter snowfall, making it a destination for winter sports enthusiasts, whereas Idyllwild generally experiences milder winters. Both towns feature charming downtown areas with shops and eateries, but the local culture and community vibes may vary. Idyllwild is known for its vibrant arts scene, hosting numerous galleries and music festivals, while Cloudcroft exudes a rustic, Old West charm with its historic buildings and a focus on outdoor activities.

Cloudcroft, NM

Overall, it was a great day trip. It might be nice to celebrate winter holidays here as I remember it was in Big Bear.

I did a few other hikes as well while in Las Cruces. Soledad Canyon Loop was less than 10 minutes away from my place, so I couldn't not visit it! It was a short 3.5 mile hike with some elevation gain, but the highlight for me was the turnaround point where water was trickling from the mountain. The sound it made echoed everywhere making it seem bigger that it was. There was also a sense of complete isolation being surrounded by the mountains (until more people came...).

Prior to going to do this hike I was planning on hiking Shelter Caves but when I got near the trailhead, I knew that my car would not make it as the road was washed out. I decided to do this trail later in the day by parking just down the road and walking towards the trailhead. I didn't realize that it would add another 2.5 miles in the scorching heat but it was too late to back down. I didn't regret it. The hike was beautiful, although much harder than the first one. I did not do the full trail that extended even further from the first cave, but the views were very nice regardless, and I felt like I had had enough hiking for one day.